By Kathleen Mullane
This week two more of our parishioners went to their eternal reward. Margaret O’Connor, Lower Athea passed away quite suddenly on Monday having played her usual card game a few nights previously. In her nineties, she loved her weekly game of cards. A huge crowd came to pay their last respects to her large family at Kelly’s funeral parlour on Tuesday evening. Requiem mass on Wednesday was followed by burial in Holy Cross cemetery. Sympathy to her daughters, sons, relatives and a large circle of friends. ‘May she rest in peace’.
Betty Murphy of Gortnagross, who had been ill for some time and was in the care of Milford Hospice, passed away also this week. She was reposing at her home on Wednesday evening where relatives and friends sympathised with her family. Requiem mass was celebrated on Thursday with burial of ‘a real lady’ in Holy Cross cemetery after. Condolences to her family and many friends. ‘Go ndeana Dia Trócaire le na hanam’.
On Sunday 14th April a fundraising Bingo for the Development Association will take place at Halla Tadhg Gaelach in Tournafulla. There is €2,100 in prize money. A double book with 2 sheets is €15 and a single and 1sheet is €13 and half books are €5 – all support is appreciated.
Well our next fundraiser for the Lourdes Fund is ‘Split The Bucket’. You will see little buckets in our local shop and business premises. You write your name and phone number on the label, put €2 into the envelope, seal it and put it in the bucket. After 2 weeks we will gather the buckets, pick an envelope from the combined envelopes and whoever is the lucky person to have their name drawn out will be the winner of half of the money collected, the other half will be given to the Lourdes fund. You can enter as many times as you like, for €2 each chance. All the money raised in the next couple of months will help to send our youth helpers and invalids to Lourdes in June and we will think of all of you while there.
Just heard the news from Chicago that John Hunt has passed away at the great age of 98yrs. John originally came from Athea and was a regular visitor over the years. He was featured on the Late Late Show following the Limerick hurlers epic All Ireland win last year. A man, who I’m told, died happy after Limerick’s Victory. ‘May he rest in peace’
Sympathy is also extended to the family of Con O’Connor, Cratloe who was laid to rest last week. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. ‘May the light of heaven be his’.
Congrats to Pauline and Patsy Kelleghan who celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary last weekend. Here’s to the next 5 years and the “Big 60”.
What a ‘memorable night’ Sunday night was here in our church for our fundraising concert to send our youth volunteers and some invalids to Lourdes in June on the Limerick pilgrimage. Everyone who was so good to come along and support our fund-raising efforts was enthralled by the amount of local talent. I won’t even begin to name them, but from the dancing to the musicians to the unbelievable singing it was just unreal. Many agreed that they were “really touched” by the spiritual songs. What talent, you wouldn’t see it on the best of shows on T.V. Domhnall de Barra was MC for the night and as always did a great job as did Jer Keane on sound. The man that instigated the show initially was our own Fr. Brendan Duggan who must be complimented. It’s not an easy task organising people to take part – and so many thanks to them all for giving of their time and talents. Emily Clarke, who closed the show and was one of the feature acts, had the entire crowd on their feet, clapping and joining in the songs – we thank all who gave spot-prizes so willingly and all who helped to make the night possible and above all “you” who came along and supported our fund-raising concert. We will think of you all in Lourdes.